@MichelleSuiter says it for all of us: Amazing to think Women have only been fighting for equality for less than a year ...
Sunday, 7 July 2013
Federal Greens candidate in Cowper Carol Vernon satisfied with recent NSW Legislative Council amendments to Local Land Services Bill 2013
Media Release, June 28, 2013
Greens Cowper candidate pleased that Greens amendments support landholders
“Our local towns, from Kempsey to Maclean, benefit from a healthy rural environment,” said Carol Vernon.
The Greens candidate for Cowper expressed her satisfaction that The NSW Legislative Council has agreed to two Greens amendments to the Local Land Services Bill 2013.
“The Greens are pleased that these sensible amendments to promote modern, scientific land management were adopted by the NSW Parliament, “ said Carol Vernon
The first amendment restores triple bottom line natural resource management, and the use of sound scientific knowledge in decision-making.
The second amendment (in italics) modified an existing object in the act “to provide a framework for financial assistance and incentives to landholders including, but not limited to, incentives that promote land and biodiversity conservation”
“Farmers and landholders who want to manage their land to promote environmental restoration and biodiversity deserve financial support,” she said.
“The Greens would like to see a system of rate reductions for landholders who dedicate parts of their land to environmental restoration or conservation.
“Compare these moves to support protection of the environment by the NSW parliament, to the stance of the federal Liberal/National parties for land and biodiversity conservation. On June 26 they refused to vote for Senator Milne’s motion for “a total prohibition on logging in any World Heritage areas in Australia, now and into the future.”
“Only Greens in the Senate will protect future biodiversity essential to our children’s heritage,” said Mrs Vernon.
Media contact: [redacted]
Saturday, 6 July 2013
What Australia told the International Court of Justice concerning Japan's stockpile of refrigerated whale meat
International Court of Justice 28 June hearing in Whaling in the Antarctic (Australia v. Japan: New Zealand intervening):
As recently as October 2012, the Director of the JFA openly admitted to a Japanese Parliamentary Subcommittee that maintaining its purportedly "scientific" whaling program in the Southern Ocean was necessary to perpetuate the market in minke whale meat. (Tab 108):
"Minke whale meat is prized because it is said to have a very good flavour and aroma when eaten as sashimi and the like . . .
[T]he scientific whaling program in the Southern Ocean was necessary to achieve a stable supply of minke whale meat."....
As of January 2013, there were 4,355 tonnes of refrigerated whale meat in the market's distribution stock. That is a lot of refrigeration. To counter the decline in sales, the ICR has undertaken a number of new sales promotion activities……
The real reason for the Japanese Government's decision to reduce target catches is as simple as it is commercial - the sharp decrease in domestic demand for whale meat in Japan. The well-known Mr. Komatsu, the former head of the JFA, has confirmed in numerous public statements that Japan's reduction in catches has been a deliberate strategy to keep the price of whale meat high. For example, he said in June 2010 that Japan had deliberately reduced its target catches - this is tab 110: "because of the stagnation of the sales of whale meat. Some government officer tried to think that if . . . the . . . supply would be down that may lead to a bit higher price of . . . the whale meat", which is a fairly good commercial tactic….
Japan's stockpile of frozen whale meat is four times greater today than it was 15 years ago.
PUP leader Clive Palmer flouts federal law
The Australian 29 June 2013:
MINING magnate Clive Palmer has been hit with a $6.2 million charge for flouting the law on carbon emissions, in a blow to his nickel business as he mounts a campaign to become prime minister at the federal election.
Federal regulators disclosed the charge on Mr Palmer's nickel refinery yesterday in one of the first actions against companies that failed to account for thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Despite receiving free carbon permits worth millions of dollars, Mr Palmer's private company, Queensland Nickel Pty Ltd, did not provide the carbon units required by June 17 and must pay the charge or face further action.
Queensland Nickel Pty Ltd operates the Palmer Nickel and Cobalt Refinery which is wholly owned by Clive Palmer. The company has an outstanding 206,46 carbon unit shortfall totalling $6,172,436.40 in shortfall charges.
In May 2012 Clive Palmer was seeking a permit for Queensland Nickel to dump toxic tailing dam water into the Great Barrier Reef. The application to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has since lapsed, however the tailing dam problems do not appear to be fully resolved.
Palmer United Party candidates in Page (Steve Janes), Cowper (Rod Jeanneret), Richmond (Phil Allen) and Lyne (Simon Rock) need to explain why they are supporting a party leader who is comfortable flouting federal law and who apparently believes polluting the Great Barrier Reef is a right his company should enjoy.
Another of Mr. Palmer’s companies Waratah Coal Pty Limited has applied to renew its mining exploration leases in the Clarence River catchment area.
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